Unless you’re one of the lucky ones who sells his or her house in the first or second visit, you’re probably going to have multiple showings to contend with. They can be scheduled at nearly any time of day, and can sometimes be thrown up on you in the last minute.

And it’s good advice that if your agent calls with an appointment for a showing, you should take it. It’s a gamble to say no. What if that was the couple that was going to buy our house? Without any conditions? And with CASH!?!

Don’t let the Cash Couple drive past your house. Instead, have a copy of this handy-dandy “Show-Ready Home” checklist nearby, and start busting your butt. You have a house to clean.

Click on the above image for a free printable of the checklist. Yes, it’s yours! Lucky duck.

I had a realtor tell me that there is always the possibility that someone will be viewing a house in your area, and they might see your sign and want to add you to the tour. You could have a family of 6 touring your house with only 10 minutes of warning.

So I developed a “Panic!” checklist for that. It involves the cunning use of laundry baskets. Oh, I love laundry baskets.

And the 10-minute list is already getting some use in our house.

The one-hour list is much more comprehensive, but I find it really helpful when prepping the house. It ensures that when I leave, I won’t have that “Did I turn the stove off?” conversation in my head.

Yes, the toilet seats are closed.

Yes, I put out the garbage.

Yes, I have the laundry basket full of odds-and-ends-and-probably-some-laundry in the back of my car.

The house is ready to be fabulous. Work it, house. Show ’em what you got!

Print it out. Print out a couple. Or better yet, print one out and put it in a sheet protector. Use a dry-erase marker to check off your list and then wipe it off for the next showing.

WelcomeI'm Tara. This is a space for me to share my "makes" as well as my messes. I love beautiful things, funny people, and a good cup of tea. If I can drag my children into my creative ventures, I will. If they haven't inherited craftiness, they'll learn it!

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22 comments

October 10, 2013

laura@imnotatrophywife.com

Great list! I’m a licensed real estate agent and you only get one shot at showings (buyers rarely reschedule if house can’t be shown). New hand towels are huge! And, I always tell clients to clear any and all toiletries from bathroom counter and showers (nobody wants to think about your morning routine)! Great list! lauralaura@imnotatrophywife.com recently posted…a little bit of BH& G inspiration …wall maps and shutters!

Tara

Thea

This is an absolutely brilliant checklist. I really like the way you organized it by completing tasks that are doable in chunks of item available. Great for planning! ~TheaThea recently posted…How To Make A Big Bow Photo Tutorial

Bronwyn MayB

Being that I NEVER plan to sell my house ever again (I will just flee in the middle of the night like a bandit) I hope never to need this list. However, it is an awesome list, to be sure.Bronwyn MayB recently posted…What I’ve been making this week

Tara

Andrea

We just accepted an offer for our house. I did most of the checklists each morning to be able to be ready very quickly. Having the house nice and tidy makes a difference. We’ve been looking at houses and seeing a lot of clutter has been a huge turn off. We bought the pretty linens in all the bathrooms and in the kitchen. We coordinated colors in each room. It pays off. We received the offer after only ten days. One thing I will add as a buyer that influenced my home shopping. Get a professional to take the pictures. That’s what our realtor did. They were attractively done. He had an eye for bringing out the best features of our home. I’ve seen so many poorly done pictures over the past year.

Tara

That is so exciting, Andrea! Congratulations on the offer. Isn’t that a great feeling! And yes, you’re so right about having professional photos. It is such a game changer to the Realtor.ca/.com listing.